NEWS
Tough draw for CECAFA teams in 2021 FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021
The four teams from the Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone (Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia) will first battle in the qualifying stage of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 before making it to the group stage.
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 that will attract 23 teams from Africa and Asia will take place between November 30th to December 18th.
During the draw conducted at the Katara Opera House in Doha on April 27th, fourteen teams were placed in the qualifiers where the winner will make it to the group.
Sudan who also qualified for the Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will face Libya, while Somalia battle Oman. The Bright Star of South Sudan will be up against Jordan, while Djibouti face Lebanon.
Ashu Cyprian Besong, the South Sudan coach told Cecafaonline.com that they will prepare well enough to make sure they can get to the group stage of the tournament. “We don’t know much about Jordan, but we shall start planning early to find out more about the opponent and also prepare our team,” added Besong.
Incase Somalia overcome Oman in the qualifier, they will join Qatar, Iraq and the winner between Bahrain and Kuwait in Group A. Victory for Djibouti against Lebanon will see them join reigning African champions Algeria, Egypt and the winner between Libya and Sudan in Group B.
Qualifier 1 Oman v Somalia
Qualifier 2 Lebanon v Djibouti
Qualifier 3 Jordan v South Sudan
Qualifier 4 Bahrain v Kuwait
Qualifier 5 Mauritania v Yemen
Qualifier 6 Palenstine v Comoros
Qualifier 7 Libya v Sudan
Group A: Qatar, Iraq, Q1, Q4
Group B: Tunisia, UAE, Syria, Q5
Group C: Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Q3, Q6
Group D: Algeria, Egypt, Q2, Q7
The Serengeti Boys stopped Australia U-17 to complete their campaign in the 4-Nation China International Youth Football Tournament on a high.
Hamisi Chenga and Sadam Hussei each netted a brace, while Razaki Mbengelendi netted the other as Tanzania defeated Austarlai U-17s team 5-2 in match played at the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium on Saturday.
The Serengeti Boys started the campaign with a 3-2 win against Nigeria 3-2, and followed it up with a 2-0 victory against hosts China.
Tanzania, the runner-ups at the CAF U-17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) used the invitational tournament to prepare for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 to take place in December.
Elieneza Nsanganzelu, the Tanzania U-17 head coach said that he was happy with the way his team treated each match in the Invitational tournament.
“We have learnt some lessons and we shall keep working hard to improve ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” added Nsangazelu.
Sudan Premier League champions Al Hilal SC have announced a sponsorship package of US$100,000 towards the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.
Rwanda will host the regional tournament from July 24th to August 7th in Kigali.
Al Hilal SC who will also participate in the tournament announced their sponsorship during a press conference held at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) Accommodation Facility on Friday.
Fabrice Shema Ngoga, the FERWAFA President thanked Al Hilal for coming on board to support the CECAFA Kagame Cup. “We are hoping more partners come on board to support the tournament because we must always dream of getting bigger,” said Ngoga.
He also thanked Azam TV who are the broadcast partners of CECAFA for the continuous support.
The Al Hilal SC CEO, Yasir Hassan Ibrahim said they are happy to support CECAFA towards the regional tournament. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ali Hilal SC we are happy to partner and participate in the CECAFA Kagame Cup. We thank Rwanda for the good hospitality when we played in the Rwanda League last season,” added the Club CEO.
Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director of CECAFA thanked the leadership of Al Hilal SC for the timely support of the competition. “It is only the beginning of good things to happen and we thank the management of the Club and the Rwanda Football leadership as well,” added Sseninde.
The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 will attract 12 teams with the champions walking away with US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000 and third placed team US$10,000.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame who is also the Patron of CECAFA has contributed prize money towards the tournament since 2002.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) have said they are prepared to host a very successful CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.
Rwanda will host the regional tournament from July 24th to August 7th at the Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Pele Stadium.
Bonnie Mugabe, the FERWAFA General Secretary made it clear during a press conference held at the Amahoro Stadium Press Conference Hall, that they are prepared to give top class hosting capabilities to one of Africa’s biggest Club tournaments.
He made it clear that after successfully hosting the FIFA Series this year, FERWAFA are very confident that they will host one of the most successful Kagame Cup tournaments. “We are expecting many partners to come on board and support the tournament because we are looking at success,” added Mugabe.
He also explained that although some teams from Tunisia and Libya had promised to enter as guest sides, they had later withdrawn because of some challenges. “We are hoping to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup for the next three years in a row,” added Mugabe.
The CECAFA Interim Executive Director, Jean Sseninde also thanked FERWAFA for coming up to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026. “We plan to have many more teams participate in the tournament next year including guest sides,” explained Sseninde.
She also made it clear that US$60,000 will be up for garbs for the top three teams. The champions will pocket US$30,000, the runners-up US$20,000, and the third placed team US$10,000.
Rwanda President and CECAFA Patron, Paul Kagame has supported the tournament with cash prizes since 2002.
Three time winners APR FC have been drawn to open their CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 campaign against Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC on July 24th at the Amahoro Stadium.
The official draw of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 was conducted on Friday at the Amahoro Stadium Press Conference Hall.
CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communication, Andrew Jackson Oryada conducted the draw, assited by former Rwanda captain and Legend Haruna Niyonzima.
Group A will have APR FC, Vipers SC (Uganda), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) and Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine FC. Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC will also play their opening match on the first day July 24th against Garde Republicaine FC.
The six time champions Simba SC have been placed in Group B together with the 2025 winners Singinda Black Stars FC (Tanzania), Jamus SC (South Sudan) and Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club.
Sudan giants and last year’s runners-up Al Hilal SC have been placed in Group C alongside Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda), Tusker FC (Kenya) and KVZ SC (Zanzibar).
“I am very excited that the region will again hodl the CECAFA Kagame Cup which gives teams an opportunity to prepare well,” said Niyonzima, who also played for APR FC, Rayon Sports FC, Simba SC and Young Africans SC.
Group A: APR FC, Vipers SC, Gor Mahia FC, Garde Republicaine FC
Group B: Singida Black Simba SC, Jamus SC, Mogadishu City Club
Group C: Al Hilal SC, Rayon Sports FC, Tusker FC, KVZ SC
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